The Free Software Foundation (FSF) has created an expert witness fund to help the targets of RIAA lawsuits defend themselves. While the RIAA's filings include expert witness testimony, their witnesses haven't held up well to scrutiny.
If defense lawyers can effectively cast doubt on the plaintiffs' experts' claims, presumably access to experts of their own would be even more helpful in many cases. The FSF is asking for donations for the fund to
"provide computer expert witnesses to combat RIAA's ongoing lawsuits, and to defend against the RIAA's attempt to redefine copyright law."
The guidelines to receive money from the fund take three primary factors into account:
- The importance of the case to critical legal issues. The demonstrated commitment of the defendant, and/or of the defendant's attorney if the defendant has an attorney, to seeing his or her case through to conclusion, and to fighting for important legal issues. The facts and circumstances of the particular case.
- The level of investment made by the defendant, and/or by the defendant's attorney if the defendant has an attorney, in time, money, and labor, in defending the case. The legal posture of the case. The need for assistance. The need for technical expertise in the case.
- The quality and commitment of technical expertise which may have been contributed to the case. The competing needs of other cases.
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"It's a way the tech community can help these RIAA victims," said New York Lawyer Ray Beckerman. Beckerman, who operates the blog Recording Industry vs The People, will help decide who will receive money.
Source:
Wired
Written by: Rich Fiscus @ 19 Nov 2007 16:23
